New Landmark Artwork Opens in Denmark
The James Turrell Skyspace at ARoS Aarhus Art Museum has officially opened to visitors in Aarhus, Denmark.
Known as As Seen Below – The Dome, the installation is the result of a close collaboration between renowned artist James Turrell and Danish architecture firm Schmidt Hammer Lassen (SHL). The project marks the completion of a major museum expansion called The Next Level.
A Unique Blend of Art and Architecture
The new Skyspace highlights the strong partnership between Turrell and SHL. According to SHL Project Director Jette Birkeskov, the space blurs the line between art and architecture.
Visitors experience an environment where light, space and design work together. As a result, the installation creates an immersive and reflective atmosphere.
The project also continues SHL’s long-standing relationship with ARoS Aarhus Art Museum. Previously, the firm collaborated with artist Olafur Eliasson on Your Rainbow Panorama, which opened at the museum in 2011.
The Largest Museum Skyspace by James Turrell
The James Turrell Skyspace at ARoS Aarhus Art Museum spans approximately 43,000 square feet.
In addition, the dome measures more than 130 feet in diameter and rises nearly 50 feet high. According to ARoS, it is Turrell’s largest Skyspace created within a museum setting.
Museum Director Rebecca Matthews described the installation as Turrell’s most significant Skyspace project to date. Furthermore, she noted that the artwork encourages visitors to slow down and experience light, time and space in a deeper way.
An Immersive Light Experience
Visitors enter the dome through an underground corridor connected to the museum.
Once inside, they encounter a carefully designed environment filled with changing colors and natural light. Similar to Turrell’s other Skyspaces, the lighting changes throughout the day.
Moreover, the shifting colors respond to the movement of daylight. This creates a constantly evolving visual experience that feels different during each visit.
Where Nature and Art Meet
One of the defining features of the James Turrell Skyspace at ARoS Aarhus Art Museum is its connection to the natural world.
The changing light conditions transform the dome throughout the day. Consequently, visitors can observe how color, atmosphere and perception shift over time.
According to ARoS, the installation creates a place where nature and art merge. Therefore, both the first light of morning and the final light of evening become part of the artwork itself.
Completing The Next Level Expansion
The opening of As Seen Below – The Dome also marks the completion of The Next Level expansion project at ARoS Aarhus Art Museum.
Through this ambitious addition, the museum strengthens its position as one of Northern Europe’s leading cultural destinations. At the same time, the James Turrell Skyspace at ARoS Aarhus Art Museum offers visitors a new way to experience light, architecture and contemporary art.
